The New Nation - Internet Edition

Shahidul Islam

Detained former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to fly for the US anytime soon, as senior doctors yesterday recommended to send her abroad immediately for medical treatment after examining her health condition.

Eight senior medical experts, including Vice-Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Prof Dr Mohammad Abu Tahir, specialists-Prof Dr Tofail Ahmed and Prof Dr ABM Abdullah (Medicine), Prof Dr Syed Modasser Ali and Prof Dr Pran Gopal Dutta (ENT), Prof Dr M U Kabir Chowhdury (Skin), Prof Dr Sanwar Hossain (Heart) and Prof Dr Habib A Millat, the supervising physician of Hasina at Square Hospital, where they scrutinised her ailments.

Earlier at 8:35am Sheikh Hasina, also the Awami League (AL) President, was brought to the hospital from her prison- bungalow amid tight security. She was hospialised under Prof Habib A Millat at 9:55am after preliminary checkup, DIG Prisons Major Shamsul Haider Siddiqui told journalists after the medical examination.

Briefing journalists after the check up, BSMMU Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Dr Mohammad Abu Tahir said they have advised the jail authorities, in writing, to send her immediately abroad, specially to the US, where the medical center that treated her ears was located and asked her to remain under its regular monitoring.

"Otherwise, she will be completely deaf," he added.

The 60-year-old AL Chief, who suffered ear injuries in a 2004 grenade attack on a party rally went to the US several times for medical treatment to cure the complication earlier.

The doctors had earlier visited her at her prison for treatement.

Sheikh Hasina, who was arrested on July 16 last year under the military-backed Caretaker Ggovernment's massive anti-graft drive, has been suffering from multiple ailments including serious complications in her ears after surviving the attack on her rally which killed 24 others.

Meanwhile, sources close to her family and party leadership told this Correspondent that they have booked three separate air tickets, each of which has at least two alternative dates, for her from Dhaka to US via London.

A ticket is dated today, another tomorrow and the last one for Friday, as the flight dates.

Highly placed official sources told The New Nation last night that the recommendation of the medical experts reached the highest authorities last night.

"An official decision in this regard is expected today," an informed source said, adding, "There is no legal bar on her travel abroad as per the Thursday's latest landmark judgment of the Supreme Court.